Device for applying mascara and similar materials



Dec. 7, 1937. L. DALY ET AL 2,101,132

DEVICE FOR APPLYING MASCARA AND SIMILAR MATERIALE Filed Nov. 9, 1935 i Ii I I I Patented Dec. 7, 1937 Y UNITED STATES DEVICE FOR APPLYINGMASCARA AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Lewis Daly and Margaret Johannsen, NewYork, N. Y.

Application November 9, 1935, Serial No. 48,990

17 Claims.

This invention relates to devices serving as pencils for applyingplastic coloring matter, such as mascara, to the hair forming an eyebrowor eyelash of the user, or to any other desired portion of such usershair, which material has heretofore been applied in the form of a cakeof mascara and small brush, or little pencil composed of a solid body ofmascara.

Previous devices of crude form for applying hair tonic have sometimesbeen called fountain combs", the material being exuded. from the tips ofthe hollow teeth'of a comb-like structure.

Our present invention is designed to produce a simple, cheap device ofthis general character for use in applying plastic material to the hairwhich will accomplish an even distribution of a thin coating of suchplastic material on each hair to be treated, and which can be easilyembodied in a small sized,standardized form of tube or other hollowpencil-like structure from one end of which the contents may be causedto exude in small quantities for such purpose.

Also the invention could be applied to the ordinary collapsible tubesfor holding tooth paste, and would then distribute thin films ofthepaste over the sides as well as on the ends of the tooth brush bristles,instead of depositing such material only on the ends of a the brushbristles in a thick ribbon, as is done by the ordinary form ofcollapsible tube container now and for some time on the market.

The underlying concept of our present invention involves the novel ideaof utilizing the flattened end of any desired form of .tube to form acomb-like structure through the cutting of slots crosswise of thesubstantially straight edge of such flattened end, thus giving the teethso formed slotted sides and/or small openings in the plete series ofteeth and small wall-openings intermediate thereof in one operation.

The broad concept above outlined and certain modifications thereof areillustrated in the accompanying sheet of drawings which shows the,

, several best embodimentsof our invention at present known to us, asfollows: v

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the preferred form of the device with theprotecting cap shown in section. Fig. 2 is an axial cross section on theline 2-2 of P18. 1.

Fig. 2a is an enlarged sectional detail showin the preferred form ofrevoluble cap for the lower end of the tube.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail show-' ing the preferred formof teeth and material between the same.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a form of collapsible tube with ourinvention applied thereto and a screw protecting cap therefor shown insection.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a modification having a cone-shaped tipfor the tube along one side of which the comb is formed.

Fig. 6 is a cross section on line 6-8 of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a perspective detail showing a modified form of teeth withopenings at the bottom only. of each space between thesame, and I Fig. 8shows the preferred method of forming the teeth in a tube end withopenings in the walls thereof. 1

Throughout the drawing like reference characters indicate like parts.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the main body I of a tube having a diameterabout equal to that of. a large sized lead pencil has one end indicatedat 2 .partly collapsed and creased so as to form an external edgegenerally indicated at 3 extending across that end of it. Preferablysuch edge extends at an inclination to the axis of the tube, as shown,though it might run at right angles thereto if so desired for anyparticular reason. A series of teeth of uniform profile are then formedon that end of the tube-as a result of slotting edge 3 crosswise atnumerous points. This can most conveniently be done, by rotary.multiple-disc saw 28, or by similar milling tool, as indicated in Fig.8. Such operation leaves a series of cut-out spaces 4, 4, in thenarrowed portion of the tube-end with intervening remaining sections 5,5, of the original edge wall 3 between them. The result is a series ofteeth 6, 6, extending across that end of the tube along said edge.Preferably the cut-out portions 4 are generally V-shaped, as shown,though they might have other outlines. If the tube walls have beenpinched together tightly along the extremeedge only of the collapsed endportion, the teeth formed as above described will each have V- shapedslots in their adjacent sides as best shown at I, I, in Fig. 3. Theseslots in adjacent tooth walls will, of course, meet at the bottom of thecut-out spaces 4, 4, between the bases of the teeth as also shown.

If, however, the end portions of the tube walls are pinched togetherfarther inwardly from the edge 3, as shown at 22 in Fig. 7, the wallopenings will then be limited to the areas 23 confined between the basesof the teeth as shown in that figure of drawing.

In either case gentle. pressure on any plastic material filling that endof the tube interior will cause it to exude through all these openingsas indicated at 29 in Fig. 3 and-at the openings 23 in Fig. 7. Heavierpressure will force out enough material to entirely fill all spacesbetween the teeth, as indicated at 21 in Fig. 4. Provision can be madein various ways for applying such pressures to the tube contents Forthis purpose a piston or plunger 8 is shown in Figs. 2 and 2a which canbe reciprocated lengthwise of the tube interior .by a screw.

threaded shaft 9 which passes throughand engages a threaded opening insuch piston. If said screw is fastened at one end in arevoluble plateII), which is held in a cap for that end of the tube generally indicatedat H, and loosely mounted on the tube end and the screw thread is a lefthand one, clockwise rotation of the cap will force the piston toward thetoothed end of the tube.

Preferably such cap has an inwardly peened flange I2'which overhangsplate III and surrounds the outwardly extending flange I3 on the end oftube I loosely so as to permit such rotation. The flange I2 may bepeened down on the plate I0, however, with sufficient force to clamp thetwo together.

Rotation of the cap will then force the tube contents slowly through theopenings in the teeth at the other end of the tube in little fins 29, asindicated in Fig. 3 and at the openings 23 in Fig. 7. If a greaterquantity is forced-out it will completely fill the spaces between theteeth as indicated at 21 in Fig. 4. Usually the friction of the mainbody 30 of the material in' the tube on the piston 8 will be sufficientto prevent its rotation and so ensure its movement when the screw isrotated.

To absolutely prevent any rotation of. the piston 8 it may be providedwith a radial project-ion I5 engaging a slot I4 extending lengthwise ofthe tube interior as shown in Fig. 2a.

To protect the comb-like end of the tube when not in use, a cap I6 maythen be telescoped over it, and such cap would frictlonally engage anoutwardly spun ring 26 on tube I. V

Fig. 4 shows a modification in which our invention is applied to theordinary collapsible tube Ia such as has heretofore been used forcontaining toothpaste and similar materials now in use having one end I8V-shaped, and the other provided with an external, screw-thread 25,which can be engaged by screw cap I'I.

Fig. 5 shows another modification in which the main cylindrical body Iof the tube provided with the revoluble cap I I at one end has a coneshaped tip I9 at the other. The latter is creased outwardly at 20 alongan elementof its cone surface and this creased edge isslotted in themanner hereinbefore' described to form teeth which may be disposed alongan outwardly curved line 2!, as shown.

In manufacturing the articles embodying our invention the teeth 6, 6,are formed in one end of the incompressible tube I, or of thecollapsible tube Ia, preferably by a rotary cutter 28, as indicated inFig. 8, and the interior of the tube filled with the mascara or otherplastic material to be applied to'the eyebrows or eyelashes of the user.The other end of the tube is then sealed up by spinning the cap II overits flanged end l3,

after the piston 8 and screw shaft 9 have been inserted, as shown inFigs. 2 and 2a, or by flattening that end (if the tube is collapsible)as shown in Fig. 4, and soldering the tube walls together at that end.The protecting cap I6 or I1 is then placed in position and the articleshipped to a distributor or user. I

When used, the cap I 6 or I! is first removed and then the revoluble capI I is slightly rotated,

or the collapsible tube Ia is slightly compressed between the usersfingers to force out a small quantity of mascara at the other end of theapparatus. In either case more or less of the plastic material exudesbetween teeth 6, 6, and thereafter when the comb-like end of the tube isdrawn along the eyelid or eyebrow or other assembly of hair, individualhairs or small assemblies thereof aredrawn between each two of the teethand through the minute body of mascara which has been there located bythe first mentioned operation. As a result each hair is practicallycoated completely and uniformly with the plastic material and little ofthe latter is wasted. Cap IE or H is then replaced and the article putin the vanity case or pocket of the user or otherwise put in storageuntil required again for use.

Among the advantages of the invention may be mentioned low cost ofmanufacture as distinguished from prior apparatus in which theperforations and recesses in hollow fountain combs previously ,used forapplying hair tonics, &c. had

to be drilled or bored or molded, the handy form of the article, thecomplete coatinguof each hair around its entire surface, avoidance ofwaste of the mascara, impossibility of unauthorized refilling, andprevention of escape of the material while the capped container is beinghandled. Also the original moisture content of the mascara is retainedand wetting would be unnecessary, thus avoiding the possibility ofinfection which occasionally results fromthe old method of applying themascara by a small brush and cake of mascara in which the saliva of theuser is often used for dampening purposes, and the brush becomes cloggedwith dust, etc. etc.

Various changes could be made in the construction herein shown anddescribed without departing from the scope of our invention so long asthe underlying principles of construction and operation are preservedand the modified structure is within the definition of any of theappended claims.

Thus while the drawing shows the full portion of the body of tube I andits collapsed portion 2 as being made out of a single, integral sheet ofmaterial, this detail of construction is not essential to successfuloperation of the device.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. An elongated, thin-walled container for plastic materials which has arelatively small area of its walls adjacent one end cut away at aplurality of points and the intervening portions creased to form aplurality of equally spaced apart, substantially V-shaped, outwardlyprojecting portions together constituting a comblike row of teeth withopenings through someportions of each of the oppositely disposed facesthereof communicating with said containers interior; whereby a comblikestructure with attached reservoir is produced, the interior of whichreservoir is in communication with each space lying between any twoadjacent teeth of the comb.

2. A container such as defined in claim 1, the interior of theimperforate portion of which in communication'with said openings is ofmanually variable volume; whereby if, after said interior portion hasbeen filled with plastic material its volume is forcibly reduced,portions of the said openings.

f. A container such as defined in claim 1, the walls of which are madeof a material sufliciently flexible to yield to slight pressure from thehand of a person holding it..

5. An apparatus such as defined in claim 1 in which said container is oftubular form and said series of V-shaped wall portions extend across oneend of such tube, combined with a cap adapted to be fastened over saidtube end and thereby cover all said wall openings.

6. An apparatus such as defined in claim 1 which is formed of a flexibletube with said plurality of V-shaped projections extending transverselyof one end of such tube.

7. An apparatus such as defined in claim 1 which is formed of a flexibletube with said plurality of V-shaped projections extending transverselyof one end of such tube, the other end of such tube being closed andpartially flattened so as to also have a V-shaped cross section in theplane of, its longitudinal axis.

8. The combination of a tube flattened at one end to form two convergingwall sections united along a substantially straight outer edge of saidtube end with only short, separated portions of such walls along suchedge remaining in position, and having substantially V-shaped slots inits wall intervening between said outer edge sections, and means forapplying pressure to any plastic material contained in said tube;whereby small quantities thereof will be caused to exude through saidslots.

9. A combination such as defined in claim 8 in which said edge isinclined to the axis of the tube.

10. An apparatus such as defined in claim 8 in which saidpressure-applying means comprises a piston in said tube and manuallyoperable means for forcing said piston toward said slotted end of thetube.

11. An apparatus such as defined in claim 8 in which saidpressure-applying means comprises a piston in said tube and manuallyoperable means for forcing said piston toward said slotted end of thetube comprising a cap revolubly mounted on the other endof the tube anda screw threaded shaft attached to said cap and extending through andmeshing with a threaded opening in said piston.

12. An apparatus such as defined in claim 8 combined with a cap adaptedto flt over the toothed end of said tube and means for releasablyholding it in such position.

13. An apparatus such as defined in claim 8 in which said tube has ascrew thread on its outer surface near its toothed and combined with acap adapted to screw on to said threaded surface.

14. A combination such as defined in claim 8 in which said tube isformed of collapsible material and has its other end closed.

15. An apparatus such as defined in claim 8 in which said tube has ascrew thread on its outer surface near its 'toothed end, the body ofsaid tube being made of collapsible material and terminating in aV-shaped cross section at its other end.

16. As a new article of manufacture a device for applying a filmofplastic material to the hair of an eyelash or eyebrow, and for similarpurposes, a tube of relatively small diameter shaped to a conical format one end, an outwardly pro- Jecting ridge extending from the base tothe point of such cone in a convexly curved outline and being slottedcrosswise at uniformly separated points to form a comb the teeth ofwhich have slotted sides to permit any material contained in saidconical tube-end to exude under pressure.

1'7. As a new article of manufacture a device for applying a film ofplastic material to the hair of an eyelash or eyebrow, and for similarpurposes, a tube of relatively small diameter shaped to a conical format one end, an outwardly projecting ridge extending from the base to thepoint of such cone and being slotted crosswise at uniformly separatedpoints to form a comb the teeth of which have slotted sides to permitany material contained in said conical tube-end to exude under pressure.

LEWIS DALY. MARGARET JOI-IANNSEN.

